SARASOTA, Fla. (Feb. 22, 2017) Listed by Michael Saunders & Company, a stunning Venetian-inspired classic estate – priced at $26.5 million – is the highest-priced single-family listing ever for Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties combined. The property is located inside the gates of the exclusive Longboat Key Club on the coveted south end of Longboat Key.

“This record listing is an indication of the growing popularity of luxury properties over the last several years, particularly in highly desirable areas such as Longboat Key,” said Michael Saunders, Founder & CEO of Michael Saunders & Company, who leads the region for top-producing company in luxury listings and sales. “We are honored to represent some of the most distinctive residences on Florida’s Gulf Coast, and the level of craftsmanship and detail in this home is breathtaking. This is a rare opportunity for the most discerning buyer, and we are very pleased that the sellers carefully selected Michael Saunders & Company to represent them.”

According to Trendgraphix, sales of luxury properties in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties rose by 17 percent in the month of January. There are currently 20 active listings of properties priced at $8 million or higher in the three-county area. Michael Saunders & Company recently represented the seller and buyer of a condominium with a selling price of $5.25 million, the highest priced condominium on Longboat Key since 2013.

Listing agent Michael Moulton reported, “This new record-setting listing is one of only eight beachfront homes behind the gates of the Longboat Key Club. With nearly 20,000 square feet of living space, it is also in the top five largest homes in the tri-county area, according to tax records.”

The 19,300-square-foot home was completed in 2006. With more than 30,000 square feet of total living space, immense care was taken to blend the formal architecture and history of Renaissance Italy with Gulf-front living. The home’s three stories host first floor living quarters, second level master’s quarters and a third story for guests. Signature details in the home include a 10-car garage, hand-painted Venetian murals and ceilings, a three-story atrium with a domed skylight, a birdcage glass and bronze elevator, and a mahogany library. Each level of the home boasts spacious outside terraces for maximizing outdoor living. The living spaces are sun-drenched with decorative glasswork and custom windows – allowing exquisite views of the Gulf of Mexico to blend with the golden hues of the interior.

More informal spaces are woven throughout – for instance, the grand salon is divided into a game room, a living room with an entertainment wall, and a paneled bar. The sunroom has an ice cream parlor and durable leather couches and chairs to accommodate visitors from the pool area.

The Longboat Key Club also features a world-class golf course, tennis courts, restaurant, spa and marina. Residents of the area are only five minutes from famed St. Armands Circle and a short distance from downtown Sarasota. The area is resplendent in culture, dining and outdoor amenities.

To learn more about this listing or about Michael Saunders & Company, call (888) 552-5228 or visit www.michaelsaunders.com.

About Michael Saunders & Company

Now in its fifth decade of service to Southwest Florida, Michael Saunders & Company has grown from a single office into a network of 24 full-service real estate offices—with more than 650 agents and 163 team members spanning the Gulf Coast region from Anna Maria Island to Boca Grande.

Powerful international brokerage affiliations—including Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and Luxury Portfolio International —extend the company’s message to qualified buyers globally, ensuring the broadest possible exposure for our sellers’ properties.

Headquartered in Sarasota, Fla., Michael Saunders & Company affords clients and customers the most comprehensive range of real estate services in the Southwest Florida marketplace. These include mortgage, title and relocation services, a commercial real estate division and full service rental and property management capabilities.

With sales that topped more than $2.48 billion in 2016, Michael Saunders & Company is the largest-selling brokerage in all price ranges throughout Southwest Florida and is ranked 47th largest in dollar volume, according to the latest Real Trends 500 Survey of the 500 largest brokerages in the U.S. Locally focused and independently owned and operated, it is also listed among the 35 most influential Realtors in luxury real estate.

For more information about Michael Saunders & Company, please call 1-888-552-5228 or visit us at michaelsaunders.com.